Optimization of sampling and analytical procedures for the determination of mercury at sub‐ng.1^‐1 levels in sea water

Abstract

Cold‐vapour atomic absorption spectrophotometry (CVAAS) was used to determine mercury concentrations in sea water from the British Channel and the North Sea. Experiments were carried out to study the stability of the samples during storage and to investigate contamination from the Niskin‐satnplers used. Mercury concentrations ranged from 0.28 to 1.5 ng.l^‐1 for Atlantic and for North Sea water. Somewhat higher values (up to 3.7 ng.l^‐1) were found in coastal areas. There was also a significant input from the rivers Scheldt and Thames.